Applicable printer: Nobel Superfine

Developed with special formula, the Castable+ Resin has a very clean burn-out with no residues, increasing the efficiency of jewelry designing and creation. The material shows off precise details and smooth surface, making it suitable for the manufacturing of fine jewelry pieces.

Model Design Tips

The properties of the castable resin are similar to those of wax in that both are structurally soft and brittle and the printout can be easily broken due to pulling force during the printing process. Please follow the design tips below for optimized printing.

» » Hole Diameter ≥0.5mm

» For the specs for other features, please follow the general design specs here.

Note
» Avoid scratching the bottom of the tank with any sharp tool, or the coating may be damaged. Damaged tank surface may affect the printing quality.

Instructions for Use

To ensure the performance of the resin, a homogeneous mixture of the resin is required before starting every print job. Please follow below steps closely before start printing.

Before Installing a New Bottle

Follow below instruction to ensure the color uniformity of the resin material:

Tighten the original cap closely, place the bottle upside down for 5 minutes, and shake the bottles for around 5 minutes.

Before Every Print Job

Stir the resin left in the tank before starting every print.

Please note that the surface coating on the bottom of the resin tank may be damaged when contacting with sharp or hard tools. Follow below methods to stir the resin.

Check the Color of the Resin

Compare the color of the resin with the color block on the label on the resin bottle. If the color of the resin looks translucent or lighter than the color block, this is possibly caused by uneven distribution of the components. Printing quality may be affected using the uneven distributed material.

Software Settings

Settings for Printing

As with the use of the resin for general purpose, when there are overhangs in the model, or when the area of contact with the platform is small, additional support structures are required to ensure that the object can be printed out completely.

The printing software has an “automatic support” function, which can be used to analyze the structure of the model and automatically generate bracing structures. Sometimes you may need to use the “manual” mode to add more supports to ensure the adhesion of the object.

When printing jewelry pieces, you may want to use the cone and tree support. The cone structure is usually added to the lowest part of the object, and can be left for casting as the sprues. Tree supports connect to your objects with very small contact. It is suitable for holding the details on jewelry designs.

Click here for the instructions for support functions.

If printing fails, you may consider changing the object’s position and adjust the orientation and the support structures.

Recommended Burnout Process

When casting the printouts, you can work based on the temperature control suggestion as described in the following diagram, in order to ensure the complete burning away of the resin and a smooth and unblemished surface of the casting object.

Recommendation on Finishing

Cleaning

As the material is soft, the suggestion on cleaning is slightly different from the instructions for other resins. Avoid brushing or rubbing the objects during cleaning. Doing so may scratch the surface of the printed parts.

After removing the printed objects from the platform, soak the objects in Eta Cohol (95% alcohol + 5% IPA) and rinse about 2 to 3 minutes. When rinsing, you may hold the supports of the objects with tweezers.

Next, wash away the uncured resin trapped in the fine features on the objects by spraying Eta Cohol on the parts.

After cleaning, wait until the liquid on the surface to dry out.

Note
» Because of the brittleness of this resin, do not use a brush to scrub the printed item. Doing so may scratch the surface of the printed item.
» Do not immerse the printed item in Eta Cohol for longer than over 5 minutes, or the liquid may erode the item's structure and damage the item.

Air-Dry the Alcohol on the Surface

There will be alcohol residue on the surface of the printed item after it is washed. Do not post cure the parts until the liquid on the surface has dried out. After the alcohol has air-dried, please check carefully whether there is any resin residue in the features. Please make sure to remove the uncured resin to prevent it from blocking the design details of the original model.

Note
If curing is performed when alcohol residue is still present on the surface of the printed item, the surface of the printed item will appear white and misty, possibly affecting the result of casting.

Removing the Support

Please use tools to cut off the support instead of pulling directly (pulling can easily damage the item’s surface).

Post-Curing

The printed item produced from the Castable+ Resin must post cured using UV light to ensure the hardness for the lost wax casting.

For the best material properties, UV post-curing the printed parts in water for 30 minutes.

Recommendation
» Read the complete curing profiles for XYZprinting resins on our curing units.

Preservation of the Uncured Resin

Uncured resin inside of the resin tank should not be exposed to light. The uncured resin can be stored in an opaque container after it is filtered. Pour the resin back into the resin tank prior to the next printing.

Note
» Opaque polypropylene containers are recommended for storing the resins.

Applicable printer: Nobel Superfine

Resin Model: K1

This material is a heat resistant resin, which can tolerate heat deflection temperature up to 140 degree Celsius. For jewelry and engineering applications, it is ideal for printing the master models for making rubber mold.

Model Design Tips

For the ideal printing result and the complete output of design details, please follow the design specifications here when designing the models.

Recommendation on Finishing

Please refer to the complete guide here for post-processing.

To achieve the best performance of the materials, following below steps on post-processing resin based prints.

Recommendation on Finishing

1. Cleaning

After removing the printed object from the platform, please clean it with ethyl alcohol of concentration greater than 95%.

Rinse the objects in clear alcohol thoroughly while gently scrubbing the surface.

Note
» Do not immerse the printed item in alcohol for longer than over 10 minutes, or the alcohol may erode the item's structure and damage the item.

2. Air-Dry the Alcohol on the Surface

There will be alcohol residue on the surface of the printed item after it is washed. Please keep the printed item still after it is washed and do not perform post-curing until you have confirmed that the alcohol has completely volatilized. After the alcohol has air-dried, please check carefully whether there is any resin residue in the features. Please make sure to remove the uncured resin to prevent it from blocking the design details of the original model.

3. Removing the Support

Please use tools to cut off the support instead of pulling directly (pulling can easily damage the item’s surface).

4. Post Curing

The printed object produced with the resin must be post cured using UV light to ensure the material is completely polymerized to achieve the best material properties.

Click here to read the curing profile for using XYZprinting UV Curing Chamber.

Preservation of the Uncured Resin

Uncured resin inside of the resin tank should not be exposed to light. The uncured resin can be stored in an opaque container after it is filtered. Pour the resin back into the resin tank prior to the next printing.

Note
» Opaque polypropylene containers are recommended for storing the resins.

In Setting function, you can adjust the interface language, display units, printer type, printout scaling, light strength tuning and sign in as XYZprinting member.

Click on below items to read more information on each setting:

Note
Each grid on the virtual platform illustrates 1 cm² / inch² in the actual size.

Note
The function is shown only when the printer is connected.

Applicable printer: Nobel Superfine

The dark and opaque color shows the details easily. The material is ideal for general purpose prototyping.

Model Design Tips

For the ideal printing result and the complete output of design details, please follow the design specifications here when designing the models.

Instructions for Use

To ensure the performance of the resin, a homogeneous mixture of the resin is required before starting every print job. Please follow below steps closely before start printing.

Before Installing a New Bottle

Follow below instruction to ensure the color uniformity of the resin material:

Tighten the original cap closely, place the bottle upside down for 5 minutes, and shake the bottles for around 5 minutes.

Before Every Print Job

Stir the resin left in the tank before starting every print.

Please note that the surface coating on the bottom of the resin tank may be damaged when contacting with sharp or hard tools. Follow below methods to stir the resin.

Method 1: Stir the resin with a silicon scraper.

Method 2: Wear impervious gloves and stir the resin with fingers.

When the resin is mixed thoroughly, it should look like below image:

Note
» Pay special attention when stirring the resin. Avoid scratching the coating on the bottom of the tank.
» Check the resin level in the tank before printing. Fill the resin until the material reaches the "Max" mark on the tank.

» If the resin in the bottle has been left used for more than 24 hours, please change to the original cap and overturn the bottle and shake the bottle for approx. 5 minutes respectively before printing.

Preservation of the Uncured Resin

Uncured resin inside of the resin tank should not be exposed to light. If the resin in tank will be left unused for more than 24 hours, store it in a clean container after it is filtered. Avoid sunlight or UV light exposure.

Pour the resin back into the resin tank prior to the next printing.

Note
» Opaque polypropylene containers are recommended for storing the resins.
» Overturn and shake the container of unused resin for approx. 5 minutes before pouring it back to the tank right before the next print.

Recommendation on Finishing

Please refer to the complete guide here for post-processing.

You can build the supports from scratch with the manual mode, or use it to adjust the supports generated in the Auto mode.

In Auto Mode, all supports are in the same size at the contact points. However, the size of the contact can be set to different based on the features of the object.

(A) Larger contact may be required for heavy part.

(B) Smaller contact is good enough for holding lighter structure. Also it is easier for post-processing.

To Edit Supports Manually

Step 1: Resize, rotate and/or move the object as the way you want to print it.

However, if you have already generate supports with the Auto Mode, you can only move the object horizontally. Other adjustments to the object will lead to the reset of supports.

Step 2: Setup below settings based on the features of your object.

If supports were added in the Auto Mode, they will be shown as blue dots in the manual editing mode.

To add support, simply select a proper size of the contact point and then click on the model at the overhangs.

To delete support, just click on the support mark (the blue dot).

Step 2: Click “Generate” to finish editing.

Note 
» When there is more than one object on the platform, you will need to select one of the model before you can launch the support options.
» If the object is resized, rotated, or moved vertically, the support structure will be reset. Please set up the supports again.

In Auto Mode, the software will analyze the features of the model and add support structure to where necessary.

To Add Supports Automatically

Step 1: Resize, rotate and/or move the object as the way you want to print it.

The orientation  of the object is especially essential for a successful print. The above object was rotated to avoid below issues:

(A) Heaviest part is away from the bottom

Objects may drop easily when the heaviest part is away from the bottom due to the peeling force. Also, heavy supports may be required to hold the whole object steadily. The best practice is to rotate your object to move the heaviest part of it to the bottom. 

(B) Horizontal structures

Due to the nature of SLA printing technology, horizontal structures over the platform may result in drooping between supports.

Step 2: Setup below settings based on the features of your object.

Density: Large overhangs will require more support structure. However, more support structure will take longer for printing.

(A) Low density

(B) Medium density

(C) High density

Contact: Thicker contact point will lead to higher strength but it may require more efforts to remove them in the post-processing steps.

(A) Small contact / 0.4mm

(B) Mid contact / 0.9mm

(C) Large contact / 1.3mm

Lift: Lift the objects over the print platform is necessary for those without any flat surface or not suitable for laying on the platform. Be sure to check if the supports are enough to hold the objects on the platform before printing.

Inner Support: For objects with inner overhanging structure, supports will be added when “Inner Support” is selected. However the support at inside may not be removed easily for some structures with small openings, you may consider printing without inner support.

(A) Without inner support

(B) With inner support

Step 3: Click “Auto Generate” to add supports.

Note
» When there is more than one object on the platform, you will need to select one of the model before you can launch the support options.
» If the object is resized, rotated, or moved vertically, the support structure will be reset. Please set up the supports again.
» To change the size or location of individual support structure, please edit it in the Manual Mode.

Tree support is a new support function in XYZware_Nobel. Please update to the latest software to use this function.

Tree supports connect to your 3D objects with very small contact. It is suitable for holding the details on jewelry designs.

Structure of Tree Supports

(A) Contact Area: the area where the tree support connect to the objects. A larger contact area may be required for heavy objects.

(B) Branch: the thin support which contacts the objects directly.

(C) Trunk: the base of the tree support.

To Add Tree Supports

Step 1: Set up the trunk

Click on the desired location on the platform to add a trunk. To move a trunk, click and drag on the trunk. To delete a trunk, click on it directly.

Step 2: Set up the branches

Switch to “Branch” setup. Click on the targeted trunk with a click on it. Click on the overhangs on the model to add branches to the selected trunk.

To delete a branch, click on the thin stick to delete it.

Step 3: Click “Generate” after setting up all marks

Step 4: Adjust the contact area of the branches if necessary

To adjust the contact area of the branches, go back to the function menu “Support” > “Tree”, and select the button “Contact Area”.

Click on the targeted branch (selected branch will change to blue) and drag the slider to adjust the contact area.

Click “Done” once you have adjusted the contact area of all cones.

Tip
To adjust all connected branches to a trunk at once, please click on the button "Contact Area", and click on the trunk to select all branches.

Notice

1. When no trunk is selected, the branches will be shown as yellow marks. Simply click on a trunk, the branch marks will be connected to the selected trunk.

2. Branch mark should be higher than the top of the selected trunk.

3. Branch setting is disabled when no trunk is added. Please set up trunks before adding branches.

4. Branches over 45 degree slope will be shown in red, as they may be displaced in the printing process.

5. Trunk with no branch connected will be deleted while generating the supports.

Cone support is a new support function in XYZware_Nobel. Please update to the latest software to use this function.

Cone support is thicker than the original support. It is ideal for adding  sprues at the base of castable prints. When using cone support as the sprues, simply leave them on the prints for casting.

Cone support also provides better adhesion to the platform, making it helpful for holding the base of heavy objects on the platform. When the cone support is added to the object, it’s recommended to sand it away for better surface finish.

Structure of Cone Supports

(A) Contact Area; a larger contact area may be required for heavy objects.

(B) Top Diameter; minimum diameter: 2mm.

(C) Base Diameter; minimum diameter: 3mm. The base diameter of the support should be at least 1mm larger than the top diameter.

To Add Cone Supports

Step 1: Set up cone marks (shown as orange dots)

Click on the overhangs on the model to add cone marks. To delete a cone mark,  click on the orange dot to remove it.

Step 2: Generate cone structure

Generate cone: click “Generate” after setting up cone marks.

Step 3: Adjust the contact area of the cone support if necessary

To adjust the contact area of the cone support, go back to the function menu “Support” > “Cone”, and select the button “Contact Area”.

Click on the targeted cone (selected cone will change to blue) and drag the slider to adjust the contact area.

Click “Done” once you have adjusted the contact area of all cones.

Notice

1. Cone support is only available when the overhang is at least 6mm above the platform. The software will lift the object when necessary.

2. The diameter of the support is fixed once added. To adjust the support, please delete the mark, change the diameters and add the cone mark again.